Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Ekaete Unoma Akpabio, has appealed to parents and guardians to always accompany their children to school and church, as a way of creating a safe and secure environment for them.

Mrs. Akpabio made the call at the General Headquarters of Christ Faith Church, Utu Ikot Nkor, in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, as part of her sensitisation visit to churches in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun, to campaign for the protection of the rights of the child.

Describing children as the greatest assets of any nation, she said when a child is protected, the future of a nation is also protected.

According to her, “children cannot be expected to take full responsibility of their safety, hence, those looking after them must keep a close watch on them and those that come in contact with them, as perpetrators of child abuse could either be family members or friends.”

Mrs. Akpabio reminded parents that just as it is important for them to make money, it is equally imperative to pay adequate attention to the welfare of their children by spending quality time with them at home.

She expressed commitment to fight for the rights of children, in every nook and cranny of the State, as well as ensure that perpetrators of child abuse, including trafficking, labour and theft are made to face the full weight of the law.

The governor’s wife donated N2 million to Christ Faith Church as part of her contribution to towards the development of the church.

The wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, who accompanied Mrs. Akpabio, commended Governor Akpabio for his holistic approach to the protection of children in Akwa Ibom State by signing the Child Rights Law.

She called on parents to inculcate moral values in their children so that they may become responsible citizens in their families and communities.

From the Christ Faith Church, Utu Ikot Nkor, Mrs. Akpabio and her entourage went to Qua Iboe Church, Ikpe Attai, also in Etim Ekpo, where she led the congregation in singing praises to God, after prayers were offered for the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Akpabio and his wife, as well as for peace and stability in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.

For the members of the church, July 20, 2014 will remain evergreen in their memory, as the visit was the first by a First Lady.

The Church Secretary, Elder Okon Udo, while describing Mrs Ekaete Unoma Akpabio as a caring mother, appreciated her, especially for supporting the church with N500,000.

The last port of call for the governor’s wife was the Area Headquarters of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Ikot Akpan Nkuk in Ukanafun local government, where she donated one million naira for the completion of the church building project.

Apart from the cash donations, Mrs. Akpabio also presented financial support and wrappers to women and widows, in all the churches she visited.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet, and her counterpart in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, were among government officials who accompanied the First Lady on the visit.

•Photo shows (L - R) wife of Akwa Ibom governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio; wife of the SSG, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel; and Commissioner for women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Edet, at The Apostolic Church, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun LGA, during a sensitisation against child trafficking and baby factories in the area.